🇨🇳Yunnan One Week Itinerary And Budget: My Solo Journey Through Kunming, Dali & Lijiang

🏨 NAPHUBS Sleep Cabin inside KunMing ChangShui Airport 🔗Book Your Stay Here
After landing in Kunming close to midnight, the last thing I wanted was a long trip into the city.
So I spent the night here. A simple but surprisingly comfortable sleep pod that let me rest and recharge before starting my Yunnan adventure the next morning.

🏡 The Hump Hostel 🔗Book Your Stay Here
Started the morning with brunch at the train station before heading here.
After an overnight flight and airport stay, it felt good to finally slow down, drop my backpack, and begin exploring Kunming. The adventure officially starts here.

📍HuangGong East Street (黄公东街)
A pleasant street to wander around, grab a bite, and get a feel for the city’s local atmosphere before continuing the journey.

📍Green Lake Park (翠湖)
Just a slow walk around the peaceful lake, cool evening air, and the feeling that my Yunnan adventure had finally begun.

📍QiLin Dakou Tea (麒麟大口茶)
After all the walking, I needed a refreshing break.
That’s when I stumbled upon this. One big sip later, I understood why it was so popular. The perfect drink to cool down and recharge before continuing my day around Kunming.

📍Chen Xi Tofu Pudding Rice Noodles (晨曦豆花米线)
I stopped by for a bowl of their famous silky tofu pudding rice noodles. The combination of tofu pudding and rice noodles sounded unusual at first, but one bite was enough to understand why locals love it – simple, affordable, and packed with flavour. It’s one of those local food experiences that feels more memorable for me than any fancy restaurant.

📍Kunming Old Street (昆明老街)
The heart of old Kunming.
I strolled through the streets, stopping whenever something caught my eye. No checklist, no rush, just exploring at my own pace and soaking in the atmosphere of the city.

📍Chen Niang Niang TangYuan (陈孃孃大馅汤圆)
I came here to try their famous Pu’er Tea Sixi Tangyuan (普洱茶四喜汤圆), and it was unlike any tangyuan I’ve had before.
Instead of the usual sweet syrup, the four oversized glutinous rice balls were served in a warm, fragrant Pu’er tea broth. Each one had a different filling — ham, peanut, rose, and black sesame — creating a mix of sweet and savoury flavours in a single bowl.
Definitely one of the most unique local desserts

🚄 Kunming → Dali
A smooth 2 hours high-speed train ride took me from Kunming to Dali, the next stop on my Yunnan itinerary.
I booked my ticket through Trip.com before the trip for convenience. If you’re planning a Yunnan trip, you can book through this link 🔗Book Your Train Ticket Here.

🏡 Upland International Youth Hostel 🔗Book Your Stay Here
Dropped off my backpack, freshened up, and officially started my Dali adventure.

📍XiZhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇)
If you’re looking for a glimpse of old Dali, Xizhou is worth the visit.
Away from the rush of the city, I spent the afternoon wandering through centuries old streets and appreciating the unique Bai architecture that makes this town so special.

📍SiFangJie Restaurant (四方街食店)
Late lunch, but definitely worth the wait.
After exploring XiZhou’s charming streets, I settled down for a hearty local meal before continuing the rest of my Dali adventure.

📍DaLi Old Town (大理古城)
If XiZhou felt peaceful, DaLi Old Town felt alive.
The energy, the food, the music, and the constant buzz of people made it impossible not to get swept up in the atmosphere.

📍XinMin Small Canteen (新民小食堂)
After a full day of exploring, I ended the day with dinner at XinMin Small Canteen.
The kind of place that doesn’t need fancy decorations — just good food, generous portions, and a cozy atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer.

🏡 Chaoge Youth Hostel 🔗Book Your Stay Here
Before the sightseeing and food, I dropped off my backpack at Chaoge Youth Hostel. With my hands free and my backpack off my shoulders, I was ready to head out and explore.

📍WenBi Village (文笔村)
If you’re looking for a quieter side of Dali, don’t skip WenBi Village.
With beautiful lake views, charming cafés, and fewer tourists, it felt like the perfect place to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.

📍Scend Cafe (夕地咖啡馆)
After a slow morning exploring WenBi Village, I stopped by Scend Cafe for brunch.
With a glass of tea, good food, and views overlooking Erhai Lake, it was the kind of place that made me want to stay much longer than planned.

📍 ShuangLang Ancient Town (双廊古镇)
Nestled along the shores of Erhai Lake, ShuangLang felt different from the other ancient towns I visited in Yunnan.
With stunning lake views, charming alleyways, and cafes overlooking the water, it was the kind of place that made me slow down and simply enjoy the scenery.

📍NanZhao Folk Island (南诏风情岛)
A short boat ride brought me to NanZhao Island, a small island sitting quietly in the middle of Erhai Lake.
Surrounded by crystal clear water and mountain views in the distance, it felt like a peaceful escape from the busier parts of Dali.

📍Dali Old Town (大理古城) – Molten Lava Tofu (包浆豆腐)
I wasn’t planning to buy any snacks.
Then I saw the freshly grilled tofu.
One bite later, I understood the hype. Crispy exterior, silky molten centre, and best enjoyed straight off the grill while it’s still piping hot.

📍QianLiXiang Wonton King (千里香馄饨王)
Not every memorable meal has to be fancy.
Sometimes it’s just a steaming bowl of rice noodles with wontons in the evening, sitting among locals, and enjoying a simple meal after a day of adventure.

🚄 Dali → Lijiang
A smooth 2.5 hours high speed train ride brought me to my next destination, making travel between Yunnan’s cities surprisingly easy and convenient.

🏡 No. 29 Courtyard Hostel 🔗 Book Your Stay Here
After arriving in Lijiang, I checked into No. 29 Courtyard Hostel and instantly felt at home.
Tucked away in a courtyard, it was the perfect place to slow down, recharge, and prepare for the adventures ahead. Sometimes, finding the right hostel makes all the difference to a trip.

📍ZhangPang DongBei Dumplings & Home Cooking Restaurant (张胖东北水饺家常菜)
Since it was just a short walk from my hostel, I ended up coming here for both lunch and dinner.
The food was simple, affordable, and comforting—exactly what I needed on a rest day. Sometimes, when you find a good local spot, there’s no need to keep searching for somewhere else.

📍Shen’s Native Chicken Rice Noodles (沈记土鸡米线)
I started the next chapter of my solo journey with a simple local breakfast.
No fancy cafes, just a comforting bowl of chicken rice noodles enjoyed alongside the locals.

🏡 LinXingShe 🔗Book Your Stay Here
Before the sightseeing, there was one important stop—dropping off my luggage at LinXingShe.
With my bags safely stored, it was time to head back out and continue my solo Yunnan adventure.

📍BaiSha Ancient Town (白沙古镇)
Baisha wasn’t about ticking off attractions.
It was about slowing down, finding a cafe, strolling through the old streets, and enjoying one of the most beautiful mountain backdrops in Yunnan.

📍ManTou Poet (馒头诗人)
While wandering around Baisha Ancient Town, I couldn’t resist stopping by ManTou Poet for a snack.
Freshly made mantou, a cozy atmosphere, and the perfect little break when exploring the ancient streets.

📍BiShan Tea House (彼山茶事)
One of my favourite moments in Baisha wasn’t spent sightseeing.
It was sitting at 彼山茶事, enjoying a drink and the mountain views.

📍ShuHe Ancient Town (束河古镇)
If Lijiang Old Town is where the crowds gather, Shuhe is where you go to breathe.
A little quieter, a little slower, and exactly the kind of place I love discovering when I travel.

📍Gaga Rice Noodles (嘎嘎米线)
One thing I loved about travelling in Yunnan was how easy it was to find a good bowl of rice noodles almost anywhere.
Gaga Rice Noodles became my early dinner stop after a day of exploring. 
Warm, satisfying, and the perfect way to call it a day.

📍Cloud Roof Cafe (云瓦屋顶咖啡)
One of my favourite parts of travelling is discovering cafes with beautiful views.
Cloud Roof Cafe was the perfect place to slow down for a while, escape the crowds, enjoy a good drink, and take in the charming rooftop views of Lijiang from above.
Sometimes, the best travel memories are made when you simply sit back and enjoy the moment.

📍 Spruce Meadow (云杉坪)
Take a scenic cable car up to a peaceful alpine meadow surrounded by towering spruce trees, with breathtaking views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

📍 Blue Moon Valley (蓝月谷)
Famous for its crystal clear turquoise lakes and breathtaking mountain scenery, Blue Moon Valley is one of the Lijiang’s most photogenic spots. The water looked almost unreal, and I found myself slowing down, stopping every few minutes just to take in the changing shades of blue.

📍 GanHaiZi (甘海子)
A wide open meadow at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, offering panoramic views of the snow capped peaks and the perfect place to end the day.

📍 YuHu Village (玉湖村)
Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, YuHu Village felt peaceful, authentic, and far less crowded than the ancient towns.
Stone houses, quiet lanes, and stunning mountain views made it the perfect place to slow down and experience a different side of Lijiang.

📍ShanDao Coffee (山岛咖啡)
I couldn’t resist stopping by ShanDao Coffee for a break.
With its cozy atmosphere and beautiful mountain backdrop, it was the perfect place to enjoy a coffee and soak in the peaceful surroundings of YuHu Village.

📍Coffee Continuation (咖啡续命)
Coffee Continuation was the perfect place to recharge after exploring whole day—a good cup of coffee and a relaxing atmosphere that made me want to stay a little longer.